Award-winning winemaker Michael Unwin Wines is preparing to move from its prominent Beaufort base to a new site near Ballarat by the end of the year.
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The Beaufort shed that has been home to the winery and cellar door since 2004 was listed for sale on Friday.
Michael and Catherine Unwin sold the property to the state government around three years ago and have rented the site since, continuing operations while working on developing their new vineyard and cellar door on Remembrance Drive.
The state government subdivided the Beaufort property and will use part of the site to develop a new base for the Beaufort CFA, while selling off the 4300 square metre block of land that hosts the Michael Unwin Wines shed.
The site zoned Industrial 1 positioned on the Western Highway will go to auction on May 3.
Ballarat Real Estate commercial agent John Stevenson said he had received three calls from business owners interested in the site since it was listed on Friday.
He said the proposed uses were not tourism related.
Meanwhile, Michael Unwin Wines owners Michael and Catherine Unwin are working to build a venue for wine processing and a cellar door at their site on the corner of Powells Road and Remembrance Drive in Cardigan, with plans to be open by the end of the year.
The couple harvested their first crop from two acres of vines that were planted in 2016 and plan to plant another eight acres this winter.
READ MORE: Michael Unwin Wines moving to Ballarat
In the past the Beaufort shed housed the processing of fruit and the cellar door, and the couple leased vineyards in the region.
Catherine Unwin said the move was triggered by a desire to be closer to their major customer base, the Beaufort bypass plans and a plan to create an expanded cellar door experience.
"80 per cent of our customers are from Ballarat and have been for years. Most of our business is wholesale and I courier wine into Ballarat every week for our wholesale customers in Ballarat," she said.
"The biggest negative we have had since we have been in Beaufort is the site is an industrial estate. The plan to come into Cardigan is to have a beautiful vineyard which is more pleasant for cellar door customers.
"We would like to offer an environment at the new cellar door where we can bring in a food option and people can spend more time."
Michael Unwin Wines first started from Catherine and Michael's home in Ararat in 2000.
Rochelle Kirkham
Rochelle covers court and has a particular interest in social issues including homelessness, food security and family violence.
Rochelle covers court and has a particular interest in social issues including homelessness, food security and family violence.
